Analysis of 200 Cases of Hydrocephalus Managed at DHQ Teaching Hospital Sahiwal

Objective: Hydrocephalus is a common disease in children management and complications were standard in this study.Study Design: Prospective study.Results: 200 consecutive patients of all age groups and with all types of hydrocephalus were included. This study showed that 70% of patients with hydrocephalus were of congenital variety and 30% were of acquired variety. The incidence of associated congenital anomalies in congenital hydrocephalus was 50% and amongst them spinal dysraphysm was on the top i.e. 40%. In patients with acquired hydrocephalus, the majority of patients (20%) were post meningitic, 5% with brain tumors and 3% were post-traumatic. Postoperative complications were also noted.Complications: Common complications were infections (10%), shunt obstruction (24%) and intracranial hemorrhage (0.5%).Conclusion: We conclude that hydrocephalus is the commonest problem amongst the pediatric neurosurgical patients. Seventy percent of patients were of congenital variety while 30% of acquired variety. Amongst the neoplastic group, 80% patients had posterior fossa tumors causing obstructive hydrocephalus. 24% patients developed shunt obstruction and 10% had shunt infection